Ascent of Signal Peak in 2001-10| Others in Party: | Wayne Lundberg and Chuck Drake
| | Date: | October, 2001 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Peak: | Signal Peak | | Location: | USA-Utah | | Elevation: | 10365 ft / 3159 m |
Ascent Trip ReportStarted our journey at the bottom of the valley on the east slopes of the Dixie National Forest and worked up to claim the peak. It was a very dry and hot day to take a 40 pound pack up such a large vertical gain. I nearly passed out from dehydration. Chuck thinking I needed more electrolites poured a ton of salt in my last Nalgene water bottle and I in-tern nearly threw up trying to choke down the thick "seawater".
This was one of the most rewarding peaks to summit once you get to the top, but the grueling ascent in dehydration country was a challenge on the system. I crawled into camp spent, as a wild thunder storm highlighted the sky with lightening dancing around in the distance. We were rewarded by several granitic columns that provided excellent exposed scrambling with some crazy views of the valley 7,000 to 8,000 feet below the peak (as shown in the courtesy photo). The intial drop is 3 to 4k below. Amazing views because of total vertical drop. One column where we shot many of our photos was so shear and crumbly I refused to stand on it in the stiff wind. Wayne and I enjoyed the sunset and lights of a tiny community far below as sap from the ancient Bristlecone pine trees dripped on my windbraker and left a sticky residue that I was never able remove from the coat.
This is a very strenous climb with full packs from the Sandy Creek TH (over 6,400 feet of gain)and no water on the way up. Bristle cone pines were impressive. Loved the views! Where else can you go to get this much prominence and NOT be a state HP? :) |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 6428 ft / 1959 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 25 mi / 40.2 km | | Grade/Class: | class 1, 2+ and 3, 4 | | Quality: | 8 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Scramble, Exposed Scramble | | Gear Used: | Tent Camp | | Weather: | Pleasant, Breezy, Clear
sunny and thunderheads | | Ascent Statistics | | Gain on way in: | 6428 ft / 1959 m | | Distance: | 11 mi / 17.7 km | | Route: | Sandy Crk. TH | | Start Trailhead: | 3937 ft / 1199 m | | Descent Statistics | | Distance: | 14 mi / 22.5 km | | Route: | Summit Tr to Pine Valley | | End Trailhead: | Town of Pine Valley 10365 ft / 3159 m | Ascent Part of Trip: Signal Peak - Dixie NF (3 nights total away from roads)
Complete Trip Sequence:
Total Trip Gain: 6739 ft / 2054 m Total Trip Loss: 311 ft / 95 m |
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